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cool11

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Sep 3, 2006
1,823
223
I wonder why aluminium in macbook pro is considered better case than the one of the macbook(plastik).
What do you think?
 

killmoms

macrumors 68040
Jun 23, 2003
3,754
55
Durham, NC
...Maybe because it's a "pro" machine? I dunno, anodized aluminum just seems sexier (though it isn't necessarily tougher, at least not in the thicknesses used for notebooks).

Also, talk about opening a can of worms. This thread is going to get ridiculous. :rolleyes:
 

cool11

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Sep 3, 2006
1,823
223
...Maybe because it's a "pro" machine? I dunno, anodized aluminum just seems sexier (though it isn't necessarily tougher, at least not in the thicknesses used for notebooks).

Also, talk about opening a can of worms. This thread is going to get ridiculous. :rolleyes:

Is it all about aesthetics and nothing else?
 

CaptainCaveMann

macrumors 68000
Oct 5, 2004
1,518
0
The nice thing about aluminum is it doesnt make any of the cracking/creaking noises associated with a plastic case. You could get into the thermal advantages of aluminum over plastic but really the aluminum just feels more solid. IMHO. ;)
 

SpookTheHamster

macrumors 65816
Nov 7, 2004
1,495
8
London
I've dropped plastic notebooks and broken them, my Powerbook has been dropped (from 1-2ft, normally onto a corner) and been fine.

It also doesn't discolour, and you get the awesome electric buzz from the Apple metal laptops.
 

Mac'Mo

macrumors 6502a
Aug 29, 2006
586
0
NYC
the aluminum definitely looks sexier and SLIGHTLY less cheesier.
Also aluminum dissipates heat better.
 

holamiamigos

macrumors 6502a
Aug 10, 2006
541
0
while i think that aluminum is "sexier" i see the white plastic on the macbook as the true style of apple.... and also i was using my macbook in the airport and many people took double takes at my laptop..
 

Gosh

macrumors 6502
Aug 14, 2006
349
0
while i think that aluminum is "sexier" i see the white plastic on the macbook as the true style of apple.... and also i was using my macbook in the airport and many people took double takes at my laptop..

Don't you just love the "double takes" - one of the privileges of owning a Mac - any Mac!;)
 

00hkelly

macrumors 6502
Nov 15, 2006
259
0
you can say my laptop is made of METAL!!! how many other laptops are made almost entirely of metal, thats pretty cool in itself i think.
 

jeremy.king

macrumors 603
Jul 23, 2002
5,479
1
Holly Springs, NC
I like how the case acts like a giant heatsink and fries your baby makers when it gets really warm (under heavy load) on your lap! :eek: Thank goodness for smcFanControl!
 

840quadra

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 1, 2005
9,490
6,391
Twin Cities Minnesota
I choose plastic.

In my opinion and experience, the thin metal on the powerbooks / MacBook Pro is not going to be as tough as the poly used in the iBook / MacBook. The plastic is more flexible, and absorbs more shock. The metal is thinner, and transmits more of the shock energy into the internal case components.

How many dented or warped iBooks or MacBooks do you see on these forums? A search for the same question on Powerbooks and MacBook Pro laptops is going to give you quite many results.

I like the look of the Aluminum much better, however it isn't durable enough for me to take out into the field.

Yes this is a can of worms subject.
 

Mac'Mo

macrumors 6502a
Aug 29, 2006
586
0
NYC
I choose plastic.

In my opinion and experience, the thin metal on the powerbooks / MacBook Pro is not going to be as tough as the poly used in the iBook / MacBook. The plastic is more flexible, and absorbs more shock. The metal is thinner, and transmits more of the shock energy into the internal case components.

How many dented or warped iBooks or MacBooks do you see on these forums? A search for the same question on Powerbooks and MacBook Pro laptops is going to give you quite many results.

I like the look of the Aluminum much better, however it isn't durable enough for me to take out into the field.

Yes this is a can of worms subject.

what field?
 

840quadra

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 1, 2005
9,490
6,391
Twin Cities Minnesota
That, and I am a freelance motocross photographer, and also like to cover automotive events such as auto shows, and track events.

I am somewhat hard on my equipment :( .
 

whawhat

macrumors 6502
Jun 9, 2006
316
46
i have both - honestly, the aluminum is better. you can't see all the dust and fingerprints, etc. that builds up on the plastic macbook. after a week of use my black macbook looks filthy while u can't even tell w/ the aluminum pro.
 

840quadra

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 1, 2005
9,490
6,391
Twin Cities Minnesota
i have both - honestly, the aluminum is better. you can't see all the dust and fingerprints, etc. that builds up on the plastic macbook. after a week of use my black macbook looks filthy while u can't even tell w/ the aluminum pro.

Dust and fingerprints does not fall under the damage category, unless you are a rich supermodel ;) .

And what do you expect with black! ? :confused:
 

SpookTheHamster

macrumors 65816
Nov 7, 2004
1,495
8
London
840quadraYou do realise you contradicted yourself, don't you?

You said the plastic is more flexible, then said that you haven't seen any dented or warped. If it was more flexible, it would warp easier.

You also said it absorbed more shock. Something that is easier to bend would absorb more, think of a crumple zone on a car.

However, I'm not going to try to say you're wrong about the plastic ones being stronger; I've never had an iBook, only a Powerbook which I've had no trouble with and a Toshiba where the plastic broke in a fall.
 
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